Ludhiana: Though only two months were left for Lok Sabha
elections, the opposition party- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Shiromani Akali Dal
(Taksali) and Punjab Democratic Allaince (PDA) struggle hard to find candidates
from Ludhiana. Interestingly, no leaders from these parties desired to contest
elections. Due to lack of interest of leaders, the AAP, SAD (Taksali) and PDA
were playing the game of wait and watch.

After the factionalism in Aam Aadmi party (AAP), no leader was
ready to contest from Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency. In the absence of
suitable candidate, the party leadership decided to forge alliance with
Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) but the talks were not matured. However, both eh
parties were short of suitable candidate from Ludhiana. Sources said that, AAP
may announce Suresh Goyal as Lok Sabha candidate from Ludhiana. The leaders who
had contested Assembly elections from AAP and holding prime posts in party were
avoiding contesting elections. As of now, the party has decided the name of
Suresh Goyal as candidate. Goyal will be contesting first election in his
political carrier. Earlier, the party has proposed the name of Aman Arora, Legislator
from Sunam but he was also not interested in contesting elections.

Earlier, AAP was in alliance with Lok Insaaf Party (LIP) of MLA
Bains brothers and MLA Simarjit Singh Bains was the probable candidate of
alliance from Ludhiana. After the alliance came to an end, AAP has no strong
candidate to contest Lok Sabha elections. In 2014 Lok Sabha elections, AAP
Legislator from Dakha constituency HS Phoolka was party’s candidate but now
Phoolka has resigned as MLA and from all posts of party. However his
resignation was pending with Vidhan Sabha speaker but Phoolka has quit party.

The newly formed Shiromani Akali Dal (Taksali) is also looking face
of party in Lok Sabha elections. The party has inducted Youth leader Jaspreet
Singh Hobby and he is likely to be candidate if party failed to forge alliance
with any other party. Hobby will be contesting first election in his political carrier.

The Lok Insaaf party (LIP) led by MLA Siamrjit Singh Bains,
which is part of Punjab Democratic Alliance (PDA) is also confused on the
candidate. In 2014 elections, Simarjit Bains has contested elections but lost
and in 2017 he becomes MLA from Atam Nagar constituency. This time Bains has not opened his cards and he
might contest elections from Sangrur or Ferozepur this time. If bains will not
contest elections, he may field former MLA Prem Mittal as Lok Sabha candidate
from PDA.